Polk Players in the NFL

Wednesday

Sep 4, 2013 at 4:48 PM

By RICK BROWNTHE LEDGER

TAMPA | The 6-foot-7, 340-pound Jah Reid towered over his temporary locker at Raymond James Stadium and shook his curly hair in disbelief.

The versatile offensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens smiled at the fact there were four players from four different Polk County high schools who participated in the Ravens' first preseason game of 2013 against the Tampa Bay Bucs.

In addition to Reid, who attended Haines City, teammate linebacker Albert McClellan attended Kathleen. Also, the Bucs had safety Ahmad Black, who went to Lakeland High, and rookie running back Mike James, who attended Ridge Community.

"That's two from Haines City," Reid beamed with pride. "That's saying a lot right there."

Reid is one of 12 Polk players on NFL active rosters. In addition, there is one more on a practice squad.

"There's a helluva lot of talent from Polk County," Reid said. "Some of best football in the whole state is played there."

A later bloomer in football, Reid finished his senior year at Haines City as a first-team Ledger All-County selection and second-team All-State pick. He went to Central Florida, where after redshirting his first year in 2006, Reid started to show his mettle. By the end, he had started the final 33 games of his career and helped UCF to a Conference USA championship.

The Ravens liked what they saw and traded their third-round pick and a sixth-round pick to Philadelphia to move up five spots to pick Reid.

He played in all 16 games his rookie season as a reserve and on special teams, but last year he was hampered by injuries and played in just nine regular-season games. He injured his toe in the wildcard playoff game against Indianapolis, was placed on injured reserve and missed the team's run to the Super Bowl.

Missing the Super Bowl has inspired him as he prepared for this season.

"I wanted to come back from that injury," Reid said. "It was so disappointing to be on the sidelines and watch your teammates play and you're not able to help. But I got back to work and thankfully my toe has gotten better and I was able to go out and play (during the first preseason game). It's great."

Team: Pittsburgh SteelersPosition: CenterPolk Connection: Lakeland HighHt/Wt: 6-foot-4, 304 poundsCollege: FloridaAge: 24Year: 4th seasonNotes: Started 15 games in 2012. Missed Cincinnati game with a right knee injury; was named to the Pro Bowl his first two seasons; he was named All-Pro in 2011; twin brother of Dolphins' Mike Pouncey.

Team: Miami DolphinsPosition: CenterPolk Connection: Lakeland HighHt/Wt: 6-foot-5, 303 poundsCollege: FloridaAge: 24Year: 3rd seasonNotes: Started all 16 games for the second straight season; Named to Professional Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team in 2011; Considered by many NFL websites as one of the top three centers in the league today.

Team: Jacksonville JaguarsPosition: Running backPolk Connection: MulberryHt/Wt: 5-foot-8, 194 poundsCollege: CaliforniaAge: 27Year: 6th seasonNotes: First year in Jacksonville after spending his lone season in Houston; had 374 yards and one touchdown in 16 games in 2012; set a Houston record with an 81-yard TD run against Detroit.

Team: Baltimore RavensPosition: LinebackerPolk Connection: KathleenHt/Wt: 6-foot-2, 255 poundsCollege: MarshallAge: 27Year: 3rd season Notes: Played in 14 games and started 12 in 2012; had career highs in every category with 42 tackles, one sack, two pass deflections and two fumble recoveries.

Team: New York JetsPosition: Running backPolk Connection: Lake GibsonHt/Wt: 5-foot-10, 204 poundsCollege: LouisvilleAge: 24Year: 3rd seasonNotes: Played in 14 games in 2012. Had 437 yards and four touchdowns; Has career high 78 yards against Jacksonville; Competing for starting running back position with Joe McKnight and Chris Ivory.

Team: Pittsburgh SteelersPosition: LinebackerPolk Connection: Ridge CommunityHt/Wt: 6-foot-1, 250 poundsCollege: Florida StateAge: 23Year: RookieNotes: Second player drafted out of Ridge Community, 17 picks after Bucs' Mike James; Started final 26 games at Florida State; Had 45 tackles and 13.5 tackles for losses in his final two seasons at FSU .

Team: Tampa Bay BucsPosition: SafetyPolk Connection: LakelandHt/Wt: 5-foot-9, 190 poundsCollege: FloridaAge: 24Year: 3rd seasonNotes: Played in all 16 games with one start in 2012; recorded first interception against Carolina; had five tackles, a fumble recovery, one interception and one pass deflection against Oakland.

Team: Tampa Bay BucsPosition: Running backPolk Connection: Ridge CommunityHt/Wt: 5-foot-10, 223 pounds.College: MiamiAge: 22Year: RookieNotes: Became first player to be drafted into NFL out of Ridge Community when the Bucs selected him with the 189th overall pick in the sixth round.

Team: Atlanta FalconsPosition: QuarterbackPolk Connection: KathleenHt/Wt: 6-foot-3, 210 poundsCollege: East CarolinaAge: 24Year: 2nd seasonNotes: Earned position as third quarterback in training camp in 2012 and is competing for primary backup job this year; Was inactive in every game in 2012; Threw for 3,225 yards and 25 touchdowns his senior season at East Carolina.

Team: Buffalo BillsPosition: CornerbackPolk Connection: FrostproofHt/Wt: 5-foot-8, 165 poundsCollege: Southern CaliforniaAge: 21Year: RookieNotes: Undrafted free agent; Started every game in three years at US C; Declared for NFL draft following junior season; Was All-Pac-12 First Team as a sophomore; Had 52 tackles and four pass breakups as a junior.

Team: Arizona CardinalsPosition: Tight endPolk Connection: Winter HavenHt/Wt: 6-foot-6, 255 poundsCollege: RutgersAge: 24Year: RookieNotes: Drafted in seventh round in 2013; started career as a quarterback before switching to tight end. Started second game of season; finished career with 47 catches for 560 yards and two touchdowns.